Solitude is For Sale R-25

S

Stella Maris

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 28, 2008
Messages
1,500
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C
Non-Fluid Motion Model
Helmsman PH38, 11' Boston Whaler, 9' Boston Whaler
Vessel Name
Destiny
Many folks have inquired was is to come of Solitude now that Maureen and I have ordered Karma, our new R-29. We were able to convince Jeff to take Solitude in on trade. Jeff is handling the sale of Solitude out of the Ranger Plant in Kent. Anyone interested should contact Jeff.

Just a brief history of Solitude:
Purchased in January of 2007
Took delivery early May of 2007
Never tasted Salt Water until September or 2009
Always stored in an environmentally controlled garage
Never Rained on until September 2009 (That's what you get for living in the desert....)
Has a King Trailer underneath her
Always serviced by trained mechanics (I am not a mechanic nor want to be one)
Complete service just completed by MRE in Seattle including; Oil and Filter change, both fuel filters changed, valves adjusted, new impeller.

We had many great times on Solitude and it was not an easy decision to make to move up (I think Jeff took up drinking during this process.....)
 
I was wondering why she was parked down at the factory. Her next owner will be getting a beautiful boat.
 
Congrats on your new R-29. We are getting our new R-29 in march of 2010. We are moving up from a 2655 Bayliner. I was hoping for some feed back from you and any other R-29 owners on how they are enjoying there new boats. What they love about them and if there was anything that they wished would be different what would it be? I am also wanting to know if anyone has put solar panels on there R-29 and if so would they like to share what has worked for them. We are open to any and all feed back on R-29. What kind of improvements or upgrades have people done to make the boat even better. The R-29 seems to be the perfect next step for us and we will be using her on a large Colorado lake in the summer and in southern Cal or San Carlos Mex in the winter.

Happy Boating to all, Stuart Royston
 
Stuart,
Congrats on you new Ranger.
The Lucky Fin is a 25, but I, like Mac of the Island Ranger, have installed solar panels. It was Mac's plan, I just copied him.
Two 130 watt panels mount nicely on the sports rack. For our type of boating I would not leave home without them. We use lots of power with frig running 24/7 and watching tv and running a couple laptops in the evening. My batteries are never low. I had the factory install group 31 AGMs for house batts. Group 27 AGMs for other. 1st time in all my years of boating, I have had no battery problems.
I know of no R-29s at this time that has installed solar. If not for towing about 7000 miles a year I would have a 29. For sure I would put on solar panels. Maybe even a water maker.

Good luck with you boat. Bet it will seem like a long wait for March of 2010. :mrgreen:

captd
 
By the way, Solitude is one good looking boat. Like new and will save someone a lot of money. The color is fabulous and is well taken care of. Kind of reminds me of mine. :lol: :lol:
captd
 
Thanks for the info on the solar. What kind of cost do you have into your solar package? If you have them installed on the upper racks can you put a soft bottom Avon on the panels to store for cruising and then of course remove the tender when at anchor so the panels can do there job? I would love to see pics of the installation if it is covenant but understand if that is asking to much. It sounds like we do the same kind of boating and need good battery power to run all our screens,and aways nice to have a cool fridge.

Thanks again for your reply, Stuart Royston
 
Stuart,
Look in captd"s Abum. Pictures are there. Island Ranger has pictures in his album as well.

Cost? Seems like it was about $1500 for each 130 watt panel. Plus adding a really good smart voltage regulator ( $200 to $300). Must have been around $3300 complete. Mac maybe could give you a better idea of cost at the time , I am sure. The panels were Kerocera.
AS far as putting an inflatable up there, I don't know. I carry mine on the dive platform. Besides I want all the power I can get from the panels. They seem to be quite tough. I would think that over time it would scratch them up. Salt water is abrasive.
captd
 
Thank you. All very good advice. I will look at captd pictures.

Stuart Royston
 
The Kyocera 130 (KC130TM) panels were $623 each - and the controller was $185, plus wiring, connectors, mounting feet - all totalled I think the cost was under $2k.

I don't think carrying the dinghy on top of the panels is a great idea - the solar energy is available during the day - the time the dinghy would likely be on top. We found that when we started motoring at 6 kts, the batteries really didn't get recharged by the engine (too slow I'm betting), one of the reasons we added solar. So now we are recharging all day long.......
Mac
 
p.s. R-25 Solitude is for sale, and she is one sweet boat. Smartly upgraded and lovingly cared for. Who's gonna get lucky?
 
Thanks Mac,
I just got a chance to look at the pics of your solar. Looks like a very nice install. So you were not getting a very good charge off your alternator at low RPM. Do you think that would be the same for the ranger 29? I will also ask Jeff what he thinks. It looks like that if I spread the panels apart a bit and the 29 being just a little bigger I may be able to store a kayak between them. This solar is very new to me but I am very excited to put it on our new 29. We are moving up from a 26' Bayliner which we just towed from Colorado to newport beach to head out to catalina for a week or so.Then up to channel islands for a couple of weeks. We are waiting to go out for there is going to be gale winds up to 30 tonight. So we will wait in a guest slip till thursday when all looks good again. This is our last trip with the bayliner and it is hard not to keep our minds on what is coming with all the nicer amenities that await us when we take delivery of our new girl in march. This will be a great last trip for this boat which has treated us very well for the past few years.
Thanks again on the solar info. The cost sounds very reasonable. Lots to consider, and glad that there are all you tugnuts out there with great advise. I think I will be asking many questions as we go along and more stuff comes up that i have questions about at 3:00am.

Stuart Royston
 
I knew Mac would be much more precise. Thanks for jumping in here. I just ran across my receipt on the battery up grade. That bill came up to $1246.99. The factory than credited me $426,17 for what the cost of the standard system was. So ends up running $820.82. That price included the upgrade to the Pro Mariner 40 amp smart charger.( $246.07 ) The 40 amps may be split in which ever battery bank you want. Ajustable to all types of batteries. This charger has nothing to do with the solar system. This one is for when you are plugged into shore or on generater power.
So I guess that is where my memory failed me. With Macs figures and this upgrade I ended up with about $3000 in total.

I thought it best to explain where my mistake came from aside from being a bit senile. I would add: I am very happy with these upgrades. The cost is well worth it. As far as the solar portion alone. I copied Mac's plan and engineering and paid the same price he did. Thanks again, Mac. The best improvement to the boat of all. 🙂

captd
 
I just appreciate all the feed back from you guys. I think the way we are going to use the new Ranger we will be putting solar on board. So from what i am hearing i should talk to ranger about having the best battery's for solar put in and just pay for the upgrade from the start so that is in place? Would it also be smart to talk to them about pre-wiring for the panels?so the wires are run clean? again just want to say how cool this is to have all your advise.

Stuart
 
Stuart,
Andrew at the factory, is the guy to talk to. He researched and recommended the batteries and charger. He spent a lot of time doing it. I appreciate that guy, and the rest of the crew at Ranger factory for all the effort they sometimes put forth to get your boat the way you like it. Jeff is another that will go clear out of his way to be of service.

You are going to enjoy doing business with this company. They stand behind their product.

Captd

A 29 Ranger? :mrgreen:
 
Darrell,
Just bite the bullet and do it! Get that new 29 you want! Jeff has #12 sitting there waiting to go with no owner! Its got your name all over it!

I went to Monroe yesterday and saw Karma. The deck is in place and they are finishing up the interior. It will be ready for delivery on the 13th of November! That is Friday the 13th that hull #13 will be delivered! Now that is what you call KARMA!
 
Dave - Let us know where Karma will be put in the water. We live quite close to Monroe and would love to see her and you, of course! Hope you're not too superstitious . . .
Laurie
 
Solitude: Be sure to pickup up your boat from the factory at 1300 hrs. 😉
 
baz":2gvu9rbz said:
Solitude: Be sure to pickup up your boat from the factory at 1300 hrs. 😉
Click to expand...

BAZ, Notice your post was number 213
 
Believe it or not, I (we) tried to talk Jeff into giving us #14! While not overly superstitious I am/was not overly excited by having #13........

However, Jeff assured me all would be well..... and then he recommended the launching on the 13th! I think we should hit the water at 1300 hours! Lets just round it out! How about if we get 12 other tugnutters to show up in Everett that afternoon for the launch (Maureen will be unable to attend).

Maureen and I will be spending the weekend on Karma in the Everett area and then Jeff will be taking her back to the plant to repair all 13 issues that we discover...... yes Jeff, there will be 13!

I will be back in Seattle the weekend before Thanksgiving to get her back in the water. I am looking for a volunteer to assist me in getting her to Port Orchard sometime that week. Maureen flies in on Wednesday morning and we will be spending Thanksgiving on Karma!
 
David
Wow! Make sure you have some champagne and christen-(is that correct?) that boat properly. If you don't, call me and we will perform an exorcism with some wine . That Ranger should be good Karma , but we can do it anyway just in case.

You got any idea how much someone would save by buying Solitude? I would imagine $30 to $40,000. Solitude is better than new, all the bugs have been worked out. Are you going to leave those neat lamps in or buy some new ones?

Darrel
 
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